Carrie John, although she was only in the show for that one season was such an important figure in the Whoniverse. She was a key part of the success of Pertwee's first season. She was never bitter about her departure from the show and was always happy to return to either Big Finish or narrate a classic novel.

She was married to fellow actor Geoffrey Beavers (who played the silky voiced Master in the Keeper of Traken). Away from the show she was a fine actor, playing a number of wonderful supporting roles (I particularly remember her from "A Very British Coup").

I had the pleasure of meeting her (not in a Who context) a few years ago and she was a lovely, charming lady. Once she found out I was a fan of the show (and of Jon Pertwee) she was happy to regale me with anecdotes about her time on the show.

This was actually over the holiday, but Richard Rodney Bennett, who composed the music for The Aztecs, died on Christmas Eve. He was possibly the most distinguished composer to have worked on Doctor Who.

Although it happened a little while ago, wanted to report the sad death of Bernard Horsfall at the age of 82. Horsfall appeared in Doctor Who on four occasions but will probably best remembered as the rogue Time Lord, Chancellor Goth in The Deadly Assassin. Below is his full obituary in the Guardian:

Sad to say that much loved comic actor Richard Briers has died aged 79. Briers graced the Whoniverse on two occasions. First he appeared as The Chief Caretaker in 'Paradise Towers' and subsequently appeared as Henry Parker in Torchwood story 'A Day in the Death'. Away from Doctor Who he was a household name as Tom Goode in "The Good Life" and as Martin Bryce in "Ever Decreasing Circles".

I saw that. There's a wonderful extra (I think it's on The Chase) where he's being shown the NuWho effects department, and the modern designers, with all their CGI and 21st century techniques, are totally starstruck. He comes over as a nice person.